In December, a judge ordered that Mr Hoyt be remanded into a specialised prison in Massachusetts for psychological prison for no more than 45 days.

In court documents, authorities say they believe he poses a "current and ongoing credible threat" and noted that he "may be released at any time at the hospital's discretion".

Mr Boehner is in Washington where aides tell the BBC he is carrying on his business as usual. He attended a meeting with President Obama yesterday.

"Speaker Boehner is aware of this situation, and sincerely thanks the FBI, the Capitol Police, and local authorities in Ohio for their efforts," the Republican leader's spokesman Michael Steel said.

In late October, investigators from the US Capitol Police and FBI interviewed Mr Boehner at his residence in his home state of Ohio. Police say that he did not recall any negative interactions with the bartender.